Kalama considering moving city hall to 'Blue Sky' building
Friday, May 9, 2008 11:40 PM PDT
By Leila Summers
Printable version
E-mail this articleKALAMA — A new building in downtown Kalama could be the next home for Kalama City Hall.
The 10,000-square-foot “Blue Sky” building, located across the street from the Kalama Post Office, is ideal because it is big enough to fit all city departments, said Kalama councilman Dominic Ciancibelli. It also would keep city headquarters downtown, he said, and allow room for growth.
The city has been searching more than a year for more space.
Last week, the city signed a $5,000 lease option to consider the location for 60 days.
City officials still aren’t sure how they would pay for the building — if they do decide to buy it, Ciancibelli said.
Despite its name, the “Blue Sky Building” is actually dark brown and now houses a ReMax Real Estate Office on its second floor. The building is owned by ReMax Realtors Debbie Nelson and Diana Downing.
Ciancibelli and Councilman Adam Smee declined to discuss prices until negotiations are complete, and the building is so new its assessed value is not listed on county property tax rolls.
Seeking voter approval of a bond measure is one option to fund a purchase, the councilmen said.
“We don’t have the cash in the bank to purchase the building,” Smee said.
Selling current buildings is another option, Ciancibelli said, but, he said, “we want to be cautious” about selling city property.
Leasing the building is another option, Smee said, but the Council wants to make sure that’s legal. He doesn’t want lease payments to force the City into selling its other properties.
“I’m very cautious about liquidating assets to pay for expenses,” Smee said. “That’s not necessarily the direction I want to go in.”
Before the Blue Sky Building became available, city officials wanted to move the police department to the Community Building. The police department, with six employees in an 800-square-foot station, needs three times the space, Ciancibelli said.
“They’re in very dire need of more space,” he said.
The library, also short on space, would be able to expand if relocated to the Big Sky Building, but perhaps not as much as city officials hope for.
Smee said the council needs to hear from Kalama residents about the location and how to finance a move to the Big Sky Building.
“If we would want to purchase the building, we would need to talk to the constituents,” Smee said. “I think it’s important we involve the public and make it a clear transaction, so we’re not doing something to upset people.”
Construction finished on the Blue Sky Building last summer. Originally, its owners intended to lease space to a restaurant and small retail shops on main floor and relocate their ReMax business to the second level. A portion of the lower level has already been leased to an engineering firm, which would remain there if the city moves into the building, Ciancibelli said.
More taxes wrote on May 10, 2008 8:20 AM:
" I suppose more tax money coming out of my pocket would be okay provided that Kalama cuts the ridiculous sewer rates in half. Otherwise the "politicos" in kalama can forget it. I would vote "no". "
PARKING wrote on May 10, 2008 9:11 AM:
" You all need to get the parking situation downtown fixed. Parking is very limited and no new buisness is going to come to Kalama with the current limited parking situation. How does a new 10000 sq ft. building get approved with only 15 parking spaces????? Come on Dominic this is a serious issue faces our local buisnesses adn nothing is being done. Oh and telling buisness owners and employees to park up the hill and walk to work doesnt cut it. "
Great idea wrote on May 10, 2008 9:42 AM:
" I think this is something the city should persue. The building is a great addition to the city. I would support selling existing buildings to help finance the purchase. However, if they find a lease is legal I suggest a lease with option to purchace be looked at. This would give everyone a chance to see that is a good fit for the city prior to making an outright purchase. "
hmm... wrote on May 10, 2008 9:43 AM:
" The city owns the building they are in now. Why would they choose to rent? "
Time to evacuate wrote on May 10, 2008 11:15 AM:
" First tear down your existing buildings then make the land into a parking lot, Have a $5.00 charge to park in the citys lots... Hmmmm sounds good, you could also have parking meters on the main strip, this would really get the Indians riled up, next step is adding stop lights, Looks like KALAMA is heading into suberia. "
don wrote on May 10, 2008 12:16 PM:
" shame on you officials,don't you realize that we're in a recession?I can't understand the mentality of bleed em til they're dry.how about pitching a tent?or better yet,stand in the rain.(you've almost ran all the business out of town,so let's tear the sidewalks up next) "
Negative wrote on May 10, 2008 2:02 PM:
" You people literally make me discussed. If you live in Kalama and you are not satisfied that they are trying to improve...MOVE THEN!
It is the same people with the same BS comments every week. Time doesn't stand still. If you expect Kalama to never change, I suppose we should shut ourselves off from the rest of the world. Lets shut down the on and off ramps to I-5 and block all incoming and outgoing traffic. This way, nothing will change, we can pretend like we have a nice little community and barry our heads in the sand.
"
It is the same people with the same BS comments every week. Time doesn't stand still. If you expect Kalama to never change, I suppose we should shut ourselves off from the rest of the world. Lets shut down the on and off ramps to I-5 and block all incoming and outgoing traffic. This way, nothing will change, we can pretend like we have a nice little community and barry our heads in the sand.
"
Kalama Voter wrote on May 10, 2008 3:36 PM:
" I love "NEGATIVEs" remark....very true.
As long as people give birth we will grow. Young people leave Kalama to persue their careers and yrs. later come back with 2-6 kids, they have to have a place to live, Thank God for the new houseing. Now.....lets sell some city property and MOVE UP to a bigger and better building, let's get this show on the road. OR......the old city building lot is perfect for PAID city parking....at least the employees and shoppers could PAY to park ALL day, instead of takeing up the parking spaces.
So now buy Blue Sky building, kick everyone out and put the city office,police and library there.
P.S. By the way, why do they want to sell????? "
As long as people give birth we will grow. Young people leave Kalama to persue their careers and yrs. later come back with 2-6 kids, they have to have a place to live, Thank God for the new houseing. Now.....lets sell some city property and MOVE UP to a bigger and better building, let's get this show on the road. OR......the old city building lot is perfect for PAID city parking....at least the employees and shoppers could PAY to park ALL day, instead of takeing up the parking spaces.
So now buy Blue Sky building, kick everyone out and put the city office,police and library there.
P.S. By the way, why do they want to sell????? "
Jackie wrote on May 10, 2008 5:06 PM:
" Here here Negative! Does it really makes sense to give out all the building permits for homes and not expect the city to grow? I think this is a great idea if funds can be found. Prehaps like many other communities we should have a impact tax on new development to help pay for the new building and other expenses of a growing Kalama.
Will this mean that RE-MAX will move and the city take over the building completely? "
Will this mean that RE-MAX will move and the city take over the building completely? "
To Negative... and then some. wrote on May 10, 2008 6:36 PM:
" I think the word you are searching for is "disgusted"... not "discussed". We are discussing this topic... you are disgusted. If you wish... you can go bury your own head, I like that idea better. OH! I know! You can go back to school if you aren't already, and learn how to spell again. Yeah, that sounds good. I don't think people should be allowed to complain if they can't spell or if they can't use the proper grammar. Yes, Kalama is a tiny little town, but there are a few good people. And to everyone, politics is politics is politics... no matter where you go. So wipe the tears from your eyes and grow up, no matter how much you wine(I did that for the grammar-challenged, do you know what I mean now?) these comments on TDN don't do anything to these persons decisions, they just created anger and a horrible butchering of the english language. Peace homies! "
Kalama Dude wrote on May 10, 2008 7:36 PM:
" The bottom line, the girls made some serious mistakes building this palace and now they need someone to bail them out, so along comes the city "leaders" with stars in their eyes. Well we all know this plan can't and won't work PERIOD Imagine these part timers trying to figure this all with Carl bumblying his way to managing the parking mess. Carl hasn't been able to get it right before, so how can he now. This all sounds like a very ugly back door deal, again with the intent of trying to save a couple local business owners who made some terribly stupid mistakes even thinking this new building was a good idea. Remember, the real estate market is crashing, so they are scared out of their pretty little minds. You can call this negative, because it is, but reality isn't always pretty folks. Please Kalama leaders don't bankrupt the city and let your emotions get the better of you. The idea is stupid and city government has no business bailing out some failed business owners. Let's all move on folks and hope there will be no wreck to rubber neck here over. "
to Kalama Dude wrote on May 10, 2008 9:13 PM:
" Since you seem to know everything, why don't you tell us all how the Blue Sky Building is such a mistake? Better yet, how about explaining why moving city offices into the building would be so bad - without using your bumblespeak back door deal language. As to bankrupting the city... perhaps the answer is that you aren't charged nearly enough for gracing the rest of us with your presence. "
I agree with Kalama Dude wrote on May 11, 2008 8:10 AM:
" If the city mongers did not have enough money to hire an efficient company to perform the "3 month project" that destroyed downtown, how are they going to have enough to buy this building (I still do not understand how 12 months equals 3 months)? Not to mention leasing or renting it for that matter? I have seen enough bumbling from our city mongers to believe the accumulated I.Q. at city hall is quite low and gives reason to question each and every decision being made there. "
Kalama Resident wrote on May 11, 2008 10:37 AM:
" I think it's a good idea that the city officials are looking to improve what that have. Unfortunaly we have people running our city that do not have a clue. Carl obviosly can't do the job as well as the rest of the collective group. They have already demostrated this numerous times. Kalama can not afford to move yet! I think it is a great idea but poor timing. This needs to be researched better. Waisting $5000 on a building they don't have the money to persue is foolish! The police buiding is way too small and needs to be improved, the library as well, same for the fire department. Heres is one idea, move the city hall, library, police department into one and sell the the current buildings they are in, or improve/remodel the current building that YOU ALREADY OWN!!!!!!!! "
Kalama Dude wrote on May 11, 2008 11:18 AM:
" It has already been clearly stated why this new building was mistake, in fact if you can read the original article and use some common reasoning powers, who could have figured this reality out long before I posted. Asking me to explain the mistakes won't probably clarify it for anyone ignorant or naive enough to think otherwise. For anyone interested in debating this further why don't you explain to us why the city is capable, with sufficient funds and more impotantly why you think the girls didn't make a serious mistake building this uneeded building. Likely you can't or won't that much is for sure, but more importantly having your head stuck in the kalama river sand helps to make the day go by and allows you to keep reaching for the stars. Good luck to you, Debbie, Diane, Logan AND Carl, they are going to need it. Congrats to Scott for moving on when he did. "
to Kalama Resident wrote on May 11, 2008 11:48 AM:
" Did you not read the article? Was it not about combining the "city hall, library, police department" into one? Helloooooo?? "
newcomer wrote on May 11, 2008 12:20 PM:
" As a recent newcomer to this charming little town, I think the answer might be to build on or add another story to the existing buildings they own. It would have to be cheaper than renting or leasing or buying that new looking building. Keeping the brick and quaint look of the existing buildings would work nicely with the small town charm. I agree with "Kalama Resident" that the timing might not be the best. We might need to wait til things get better with the economy, gas prices, etc. NO NEW TAXES or increase in the water rates, they are HIGH enough. You would think we live in AZ or CA or a drought area the prices they charge for water here!!
When is the Carl guy going to retire? And we need to elect a different mayor?
These guys seem to NOT have the best interest of this city as their first priority. IMO "
When is the Carl guy going to retire? And we need to elect a different mayor?
These guys seem to NOT have the best interest of this city as their first priority. IMO "
re Mistakes wrote on May 11, 2008 12:36 PM:
" Bumblespeaker states "It has already been clearly stated why this new building was mistake..." Funny that their is zero mention of this in the article, and that the only mention of mistakes are in his completely unsubstantiated opinions. It is obvious he can not explain or clarify that which he has completely fabricated, for there exists nothing for him to base these claims upon. "
re newcomer wrote on May 11, 2008 11:12 PM:
" Well said. The job of Kalama's mayor, etc. is to run this nice little town into the dirt. Cut the utility rates, give away permits for nothing, lay off employees and last but not least, make sure that all the most drastically needed maintenance is postponed indefinitely. In doing so, the mayor etal. will truly be holding us all as their first priority, and Kalama will be sure to keep its allure as such a charming little town, and not just another stinky little cesspool to stop at along I-5 when in need of a place to urinate. "
blah wrote on May 12, 2008 7:51 AM:
" Isn't this the same city who just a few months ago was shutting the city office down during the middle of the day to save money?
Sounds like this move into the big EMPTY building is a pipe dream! "
Sounds like this move into the big EMPTY building is a pipe dream! "
to Kalama Dude wrote on May 12, 2008 8:23 AM:
" You have it very wrong. If you had attended any of the city meetings regarding the new location you may not have been so far off... but you are. The "girls" didn't make any mistakes bulding the Blue Sky building and it is a beautiful addition to our downtown area. City officials approached the building owners about purchasing the building; they have long been searching options for a new city hall/ library/ police office location. They have looked at all existing downtown buildings (none of which would work besides Blue Sky) and everywhere they could possibly build. In case you haven't noticed, there aren't many vacant lots left downtown! The girls aren't asking to be "bailed" out and will happily remain in their lovely new building if the city decides to go elsewhere. Although you seemed to know exactly what you were talking about, you were speaking with NO insight or knowledge about the ACTUAL situation. I hope this clarifies for you... "
Kalama Dude wrote on May 12, 2008 9:45 AM:
" Well denial must not just be a river so to speak. You want to sound like you are an insider, but clearly YOU are not. Look maybe calling these well intentioned business owners girls or stupid is a bit much or over the top, but mistakes WERE made PERIOD The IS working behind the scenes to try to help them out. Now it might not be a bad idea in the long run, but short term is a very bad idea. Trying to live with your head in the sand does no one any good at all. Again look in the mirror and consider the harm of being in such total denial. Moving on for all parties would be the most logical and healing. Good luck. Again, the most fortunate person is Scott for not getting involved, moving on for so many reasons and now not having to completely deal with the fall out. "
Newcomer too wrote on May 12, 2008 10:44 AM:
" I, like Newcomer, recently moved here. I was NOT excited about it at all because of the ugliness of the town from the freeway. Since moving here, have fallen in love with this town and its friendly and open to newcomers locals. I am not sure WHY the water and all the permits in this city and town are so skyhigh!! Having lived and built in many area in my life, have found that this area is the most expensive!! Water hookup and rates, utility hookup and rates all are especially high here.
The public utility director and mayor are NOT doing their job here and need to be replaced. They do not have the best interest of this town in their decisons. WHY is the newly redecorated bed and breakfast for sale? Are they being rail roaded out of town because of something they did?
The city police, city hall, library need to stay put and maybe reorganize and replace with more modern atorage. There is no jail here. Why does the city police need more space?
"
The public utility director and mayor are NOT doing their job here and need to be replaced. They do not have the best interest of this town in their decisons. WHY is the newly redecorated bed and breakfast for sale? Are they being rail roaded out of town because of something they did?
The city police, city hall, library need to stay put and maybe reorganize and replace with more modern atorage. There is no jail here. Why does the city police need more space?
"
Not so little anymore wrote on May 12, 2008 12:47 PM:
" Let's face it, Kalama is growing. With this growth comes the need for the city to provide services. The current city hall was built in 1937, has been remodelled several times, and probably would not be remodelled again very cost effectively. The cops need a decent station. The current police station would make a nice parking lot for the fire District. Isn't it the job of the city council and staff to figure out how to get a modern building to put the various city departments under one roof? This sounds like they're planning for the future. There comes a time when spending a buck today will save a bunch of bucks in the future, because acquiring such a building will surely be more expensive. Remember, Kalama's not so little anymore. "
Who comes up with this wrote on May 12, 2008 3:06 PM:
" Stay where you are .. you do NOT need anything more than that .. lets continue to beautify this town to draw business, moving the city hall will do nothing more than boost egos! I am sure it will require another rate hike !! "
Kal. Res. wrote on May 12, 2008 6:35 PM:
" The Kalama City Council proves themselves again to be incompetent. There are too many builders there and not enough good critical thinkers. It's not just about buildings. More office space for City Hall makes little sense considering the track record of Kalama's city government. Consider adding on if need be. I agree that parking is a big problem. The Council should make a real effort to help this situation. The ladies who had the Blue Sky building constructed will find businesses to fill er up. I would vote "NO" to the City of Kalama proceeding there. Not that ever listen to the public! "
to Kalama Dude wrote on May 12, 2008 6:51 PM:
" Nice try, dude, but still just another post lacking of any substantive fact to back it up. The "girls" are actually living with their heads in the CLOUDS, not the sand. The clouds would in there case be where they realize a profit on their expenditure. I've spoken to both of them in within the last two weeks, and neither seemed terribly distraught at having made horrible mistakes. Moving ahead? Why don't you explain yourself for ONCE, instead of posting meaningless gibberish! "
re Newcomer too wrote on May 12, 2008 6:57 PM:
" Hi - yhou sound like a clone of Newcomer! You must not be from around here...were those other area in your life of similar jurisdictional size, with similar sized utilities, etc.? If not, honey, you are comparing apples to oranges and should go back to school. Have you compared 'hookup rates?' If not, please actually do a COMPARISON and then enlighten us! "
Newcomer too wrote on May 13, 2008 2:35 AM:
" To: re Newcomer too.
What part of "newcomer" don't you understand? NO I am NOT from around here or I wouldn't be a newcomer. DUH! YOU should be the one to go back to school.
YES, I KNOW the comparison amounts of hookup rates in similar sized areas, as I stated in the above post, and why I said that in comparison this city/county is higher. It is. Unlike some that post here, I have first hand knowledge of that fact or would NOT have said as much. I think that Newcomer and I are CLONES because we are both newcomers to the area and see what some that are lifetime locals do not. This is a beautiful, welcoming area and the locals are awesome. "
What part of "newcomer" don't you understand? NO I am NOT from around here or I wouldn't be a newcomer. DUH! YOU should be the one to go back to school.
YES, I KNOW the comparison amounts of hookup rates in similar sized areas, as I stated in the above post, and why I said that in comparison this city/county is higher. It is. Unlike some that post here, I have first hand knowledge of that fact or would NOT have said as much. I think that Newcomer and I are CLONES because we are both newcomers to the area and see what some that are lifetime locals do not. This is a beautiful, welcoming area and the locals are awesome. "
to Newcomer too wrote on May 13, 2008 6:15 PM:
" If you really had any first hand knowledge you would share it with the rest of us. You are insande if you expect people to believe you at your word - a subjective opinion with based upon absolutely zero merit or FACT? You made no comparison whatsoever, and you certainly made no mention of county rates (gee - is Cowlitz County comparable to Kalama?). EVEN if you had, you would still be comparing apples to oranges, just the same as if you had compared Kalama to say, Longview. Of course we have no information about your exhaustive research because you would have us all believe you know what you're talking about without actually sharing any information. So give it up, ok? "
The Other Side wrote on May 16, 2008 10:43 AM:
" I just want to mention that all City Council meetings are open to the public. I have been attending them in Kalama now for years. I don't seem to recall seeing any of you there. If you honestly had an interest in what is happening in Kalama, I should think you would make a point to find out first hand what is happening, and why. Hey, contact your elected officials in Kalama! They all have telephones. It gets old reading this stuff from people who complain all the time but never do anything to let the City know their views. And showing up once or twice is not the same as participating in meetings. The public is always asked if they wish to comment. And contrary to what I am reading here, I know the Council does listen. But you can't know that when you don't show up. I have lived here for 13 years now. Today's City Council has done so much for Kalama, it's a shame you people don't have a clue. I personally am not for them moving into the "Blue Sky" building but the Police Dept and the Library do need more space. The question is, do they need THAT much space! And "if" you had a "clue" you would know why they have to relocate. "
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